GB2209183A - Storage and dispensing tank with catch pit - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage and dispensing tank suitable for example, for liquid fuels is right-cylindrical comprising concentric spaced inner and outer cylindrically curved walls 3, 6 defining an annular catch-pit 9 between them, and transverse end walls 4, 5 which with the inner curved wall 3 define a fluid container 1. The outer curved walls 6 extends beyond the inner curved wall 3 at least at one end of the container to define a compartment 12 in which are a filler inlet (18 Fig 1) and means 17 for dispensing fluid from the container. There may be reinforcing bracing 13 segmental L-section hoops, between the inner and outer curved walls. The compartment 12 has an outer transverse wall 8 in which is an access entry 15 with a lockable closure 21; alternatively it may be an open-ended alcove in which the filler inlet 18 and dispensing means 17 are housed in a lockable cabinet. <IMAGE>

Description

STORAGE AND DISPENSING TANK This invention relates to tanks for storing and dispensing fluids particularly, although not exclusively, liquid fuels such as petrol or diesel oil.

Isolated places, such as farms, may require a storage tank for liquids. For example a fuel store for the convenient replenishment of the fuel of farm machinery. Similarly a construction site may require its own fuel store to serve its machinery.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a self-contained storage and dispensing tank.

According to the invention we provide a right-cylindrical tank having concentric spaced-apart inner and outer curved cylindrical walls defining an annular catch-pit between them and transverse end walls at each axially spaced end of the inner curved wall defining, together with the inner curved wall, a container for liquid, the outer curved wall extending over the entire axial length of the inner curved wall and projecting axially beyond the inner curved wall at least at one end of the container to define a compartment in which a filler inlet of the container is accessible for filling the container and within which is provided dispensing means for dispensing liquid from the container.

Preferably additional transverse walls are provided parallel to but spaced outside the end walls which define the container so that the tank has a complete double-walled structure. The tank may comprise one cylindrical vessel held within another.

Preferably the compartment is partly defined by a transverse wall having an entry in it which provides access to the compartment. The entry may be provided with a closure which may be lockable to prevent access to the compartment.

Alternatively, the compartment may comprise an open-ended alcove, and a lockable cabinet containing the filler passage and dispensing means may be provided in the alcove.

A gauge to indicate the volume of liquid in the container may be provided in the compartment.

A drain for the container may extend from the container into the compartment.

The outer curved wall may be extended to define a compartment at each end of the container.

The inner cylindrical wall and the outer cylindrical wall are preferably reinforced by bracing provided between them. The bracing may be of L-section and may support the inner cylindrical wall spaced from the outer cylindrical wall. The bracing may be arranged in circumferential hoops around the inner cylindrical wall. The hoops may be segmented so that there are gaps between segments of bracing. The segments may be arranged so that there is a gap at the lowermost point of the hoop. The end walls and/or the additional end walls may also be reinforced by braces.

The tank preferably has feet on which it stands with its axis horizontal.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an end view of a tank in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section along line II-II of the tank of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a detail.

The tank shown in the drawings comprises a cylindrical inner vessel 1 surrounded by an outer vessel 2. The inner vessel 1 has a cylindrical curved wall 3 and flat, circular, end walls 4 and 5. The outer vessel 2 has a cylindrical curved wall 6, a flat circular end wall 7 which closes off one end 7a of the vessel 2, a flat circular end wall 8 at the other end of the vessel, and a flat circular dividing wall 8a spaced from the end wall 8. The outer vessel 2 encloses the inner vessel 1 in the space defined between its flat circular walls 7 and 8a and its curved wall 6. The inner vessel is supported concentrically within the outer vessel and has a diameter smaller than that of the outer vessel so that an annular gap 9 is left between the curved walls of the inner and outer vessels.

The outer vessel is longer than the inner vessel.

End gaps 10 and 11 are provided respectively between the end walls 4 and 5 of the inner vessel and the corresponding walls 7 and 8a of the outer vessel. The dividing wall 8a is so spaced from the end wall 8 of the outer vessel that a compartment 12 is provided between the dividing wall 8a and the end wall 8, as best shown in Figure 2. The end wall 8 has a large rectangular entry 15 in it providing access into the compartment 12.

The inner vessel is supported in the outer vessel by arcuate lengths of L-section bracing 13 provided in the annular gap 9. The bracing 13 is arranged to form segmented hoops extending circumferentially around the inner vessel 1 in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vessel 1. One of the arcuate sides of the bracing 13 is welded or otherwise affixed to the curved wall of either the inner or the outer vessel so that the other side of the L-section extends across the annular gap 9 and engages the other vessel.

Thus the bracing 13 re-inforces both vessels simultaneously, as well as supporting and locating the inner vessel. A bracing may be attached to both curved walls, or only one of them. The segmented bracing is arranged so that there is a gap in the hoop of bracing at the lowermost level of the tank.

Further bracing struts 14 are provided to re-inforce the flat walls of the inner and outer vessels. The struts 14 again comprise rigid lengths of L-section and extend between the adjacent end walls 4 and 7 and between the ends wall 5 of the inner vessel and the dividing wall 8a. The struts 14 extend along the vertical diameter of the tank. As shown in Figure 1, the bottom of the strut 14 towards the compartment end of the outer vessel is splayed in an inverted V-shape for reasons discussed later.

The compartment 12 contains the dispensing and filling controls of the tank. These are a gauge 16 to indicate the volume of liquid in the tank, a dispensing pump 17, and a filler inlet 18. The dispensing pump is mounted on a shelf 17a provided in the compartment and may have a meter to show how much liquid has been dispensed. The filler inlet is shown in more detail in Figure 3 and has a wheel-operated valve 19 and a closure cap 20 secured to the inlet by a chain. A roller shutter 21 is fitted at the entry and can be drawn over the entry and locked shut to prevent unauthorised access to the compartment.

An alternative arrangement is to have no end wall 8, but instead a lockable cabinet within an open-ended compartment adjacent the dividing wall and containing the gauge1 filler inlet and dispensing pump.

A drain 22 is provided leading from the inner vessel 1 to the compartment 12 and allows the inner vessel to be drained when required. The strut 14 at the wall 8a is splayed at its bottom to accommodate the drain.

An access port 23 leads from the top of the inner vessel 1 and passes through an aperture in the outer vessel to project from the cylindrical curved outer surface of the tank. A cover 24 is bolted onto a flange at the periphery of the port 23 and closes the port.

The outer vessel has feet on which the tank stands with its longitudinal axis horizontal. The feet comprise two runners 24 and 25 extending longitudinally of the tank. Transverse reinforcing buttresses 26 extend from the runners 24 and 25 to the curved outer wall 6.

The arrangement of the inner vessel within the outer vessel and spaced from it at all points has the advantage that the outer vessel forms a bund, or catch-pit for any liquid which may escape from the inner vessel. Because the bracing 13 is not provided at the lowermost level of the tank any liquid which may be in the annular gap 10 is not restricted in the axial direction by the bracing, even when there is only a little liquid in the gap 10. Maintenance of the catch-pit is minimal since it is not exposed to the elements. The compartment 12 also affords shelter for the filling and dispensing controls. A drain may be provided for the catch-pit gap 10. A viewing window may also be provided to see if any liquid is in the catch-pit and may be provided in the wall 8. The tank may be of all-steel construction which would reduce cathodic corrosion.

The access port 22 may alternatively be provided at an end wall of the inner vessel. This could aid construction of the tank since the inner vessel and the access port could then be slid axially into the outer vessel.

It is envisaged that the tank will be used to store and dispense fuel, but it clearly could be used for any liquid, or even a gas. The tank has the advantages of being a completely self-contained bunded tank, has no sharp corners, and is conveniently portable.

Claims (17)

1. A right-cylindrical storage and dispensing tank having concentric spaced-apart inner and outer cylindrical curved walls defining an annular catch-pit between them and transverse end walls at each axially spaced end of the inner curved wall defining, together with the inner curved wall, a container for fluid, the outer curved wall extending over the entire axial length of the inner curved wall and projecting axially beyond the inner curved wall at least at one end of the container to define a compartment in which a filler inlet of the container is accessible for filling the container and within which is provided dispensing means for dispensing fluid from the container.

2. A tank according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer curved walls are reinforced by bracing provided between them in the annular catch-pit.

3. A tank according to claim 2 wherein the bracing is of L-section and supports the inner curved wall spaced from the outer curved wall.

4. A tank according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the bracing is arranged in circumferential hoops around the inner curved wall.

5. A tank according to claim 4 wherein the bracing loops are segmental such that there are gaps between segments of the hoops.

6. A tank according to claim 5 wherein the segments are arranged such that in a position of use of the tank in which the axis of the inner and outer curved walls is disposed horizontally there is a gap at the lowermost portion of each hoop.

7. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein the compartment in which the filler inlet is accessible and the dispensing means is provided has an outer transverse wall spaced axially outwards from the adjacent end wall of the container, and an entry in that transverse wall provides access into the compartment.

8. A tank according to claim 8 wherein the entry has a lockable closure.

9. A tank according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the compartment is an open-ended alcove, and provided in the compartment is a lockable cabinet which contains the filler inlet and dispensing means.

10. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein a gauge which indicates the volume of liquid in the container is provided in the compartment.

11. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein a drain for the container extends from the container into the compartment,

12. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein the outer curved wall projects axially beyond the inner curved wall at both ends of the container to define a compartment at each end of the container.

13. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein additional transverse walls are secured to the outer curved wall spaced axially outwardly of and parallel to each of the end walls of the container such that the tank has a complete double-walled structure.

14. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein the end walls are reinforced by bracing.

15. A tank according to claim 14 wherein the additional transverse walls are reinforced by bracing.

16. A tank according to any preceding claim wherein feet are secured to the outer curved wall on which the tank can be stood for use with the axis of the inner and outer curved walls disposed horizontally.

17. A tank substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.